Healing Threads

~~~ 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 ~~~ Psalm 132 ~~~ Mark 6:53-56 ~~~ 

King Solomon processed with the high priests.

They carried the ark of the Covenant into the temple.

The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD

to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary,

the holy of holies of the temple.

The glory of God filled the tent with a cloud.

The cloud was so dense and dark that it obscured their vision.  

Solomon interpreted this as a sign that God 

was dwelling there forever.

Perhaps this is reminder for us that God dwells

 in the dark clouds of our life too.

God is present when we cannot see no matter

 which direction we turn.

Mark's gospel today paints a very different 

picture for the presence of Jesus.

Jesus himself becomes the walking tabernacle of God.

Jesus was not carried around by the elders.

Jesus came out to the people.

He walked among them...in plain sight.

There was no cloud surrounding the person of Jesus.

Just the sight of Jesus inspired people to come closer.

They did not seek a private audience with Jesus.

Many were content to only touch the tip of his cloak.

Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,

they laid the sick in the marketplaces

and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;

and as many as touched it were healed.

The glorious power of God passes freely

 and abundantly though Jesus extending even to his clothing.

We must never underestimate this power of God.

Jesus does not confine himself to places of worship...

Jesus is with us...he walks beside us...

Jesus is with us until the end of time.

Jesus is here to heal us...to love us...to extend

 his mercy and forgiveness to us.

The threads on the tip of his tassel 

are more than sufficient to heal.

When all else fails seek the threads from the tassel.

For just a slender thread contains the power of God.

How can we ever doubt his love for us?

Blessings in God's threads.

~~~Peace~~~

God's Pearls

~~~ Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Romans 8:28-30 ~~~ 

~~~ Matthew 13:44-52 ~~~

It might make you feel uncomfortable to think of yourself 

as the pearl of great price or as the treasure 

discovered in the field, but it it true.

You are this treasured pearl.

You are the one Jesus was willing to sacrifice all in order to buy.

...the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant

searching for fine pearls. 

When he finds a pearl of great price,

he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. 

Jesus sacrifices more than material possessions

 to secure his precious pearls.

Jesus was willing to sacrifice his very life blood.

What have you sacrificed recently?

The great King Solomon was also one of God's precious pearls.

Solomon says, I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 

How do you act with appreciation in response

 to being considered a treasure?

Solomon asks God...

Give your servant, therefore, 

an understanding heart...

This is how he chose to respond to being God's treasure.

As we know he was granted great wisdom 

evident in the manner in which he governed the people for many years.

Paul tells the Romans and us...

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,

who are called according to his purpose. 

We should not be anxious about being called by God to work in his Kingdom.

For those whom he calls are the ones he considers to be great pearls.

The ones he calls he has often found buried in the field.

Once he finds us then we must allow him to work

us into his eternal plan of goodness.

Wherever you may find yourself in this parable of Jesus;

believe you are really there.

Believe that he willingly

 paid a great price for you.

Believe if he had it to do over again he would,

even if it was just to 'buy' you.

Blessed to be God's Pearls.

~~~Peace~~~

An Understanding Heart

~1 Kings 3: 4-13 ~~~~ Mark 6:30-34 ~

 I am so excited about the readings for today. It is unfortunate that most people since it is Saturday will not read them. In fact if I were not doing these daily reflections I would have missed these two passages myself.

In the Book of Kings Solomon went away to Gibeon to offer sacrifice because it was the most renowned high place. He was in effect away on retreat. During the night the Lord appears to him in a dream. The Lord is fond of speaking to people in dreams. I have had touching dreams, but nothing like the one Solomon experiences. Because God is pleased with Solomon he says, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."

Can you imagine having that dream? What would you ask for from God?

Solomon, in his wisdom simply asked for 'an understanding heart'. Oh my gosh an understanding heart what a selfless request. If we lived in a world where everyone did have an understanding heart things woulf be so different. Sadly that would be a dream fantasy world. I think I should pray for a more understanding heart. If I had a more understanding heart at least I could make a tiny difference to those around me. God was undoubtedly impressed by Solomon's response and does give him the gift of profound Wisdom. A heart so wise and understanding that no one has ever compared. God is lavish with his gift of understanding.

Understanding and Wisdom are both gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive at Confirmation. Solomon was confirmed in his dream while on 'retreat'. There is value in getting away by yourself on a regular basis. Which brings me to Mark's gospel.

The apostles were tired they had been traveling all over the countryside with Jesus. Everywhere they went they were more and more amazed by the things Jesus was doing and saying. Adrenaline was surging through their bodies and they needed to take a break. I am sure you can identify. Sometimes life can get extremely hectic and you just need to get away.

I remember an old Calgon bath comercial where a woman relaxing in the bath tub would say, 'Calgon, take me away'. Of course she was still in her bath tub!

Jesus in his infinite wisdom and with an understanding heart said to the Apostles,

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile."

When will you take rest in a quiet place? Set aside time for yourself in the near future to rest awhile.

I chose this original image of the pages of a book rising into the air because it reminded me of how in our dreams things can be so distorted.
This kaleidoscope image reminds me of the need to set aside time away from the day to day tasks to listen for the words of God.